Skjaldborg Combat

Appropriate Gear:
	1. Weapons
	2. Armor (Body and hand protection)
	3. Basic soft kit
Basic Rundown of Combat
	1.Basic stance
	2. Strike zones
	3. Blocking attacks (with weapon and shield)
	4. Taking shots (armored and unarmored)
	5. Basic rules of styles.
	6. Off-limit striking areas.	

Appropriate Gear
Weapons:
Allowable weapons for Skjaldborg combat are any that were in use during the Viking age, with a bit of leeway. Everything doesn't have to be perfect. These include axes, spears, swords, sabres, maces, and bows for a basic list. 
For bladed weaponry, edges should be approx. 3/16 thick that is rounded, not squared. The tips for thrusting weapons (swords, spears, sabres) should be about the same roundness of a quarter and usually a bit thicker. Axes are obviously made for chopping rather than thrusting, so use your best judgement. If unsure, ask any advanced combatant or Battle Captain.
For maces, they should be made as close to actual Viking age maces. This makes them easily and safer to wield in combat where armor is mainly non-existant.
For bows, we generally use simple wooden bows with a maximum of 35 lb draw. Arrows are tipped with rubber bird blunt heads. Bows are not used often during our events, so when they are used, all combatants will be aware of them.

Armor:
Allowable armor for Skjaldborg combat are any used during the Viking age, with modern protection allowed. 
Body armor would include:
Simple leather shirt/short tunic or leather gambeson/aketon.
Maille Byrnie or Hauberk- butted or riveted, made of iron/steel. Aluminum, titanium, etc, is not accepted.
Lamellar- Preferably reserved for Eastern Vikings, such as Rus or Varangians. Made of iron/steel or bronze. Leather is no longer allowed. Aluminum, titanium, etc, is not accepted.
Steel helmets that are either in the gjermundbu goggle style, or nasal conical/spagenhelm style are required for combat. Maille aventail or coif can be attached/worn where applicable.
Limb and joint protection is advised but not required. Forearm protection examples are simple leather bracers, Bazuband bracers, or splint bracers. Leg protection examples are simple leather greaves, splint greaves, and maille chausses. Soft kit should match with the armor used. If you have questions, either research the item or ask someone with the knowledge.
Modern pads, such as elbow and knees, are allowed, but should be hidden underneath soft kit for proper appearance.
Hand protection is paramount in all aspects of Skjaldborg Combat. They are required at anytime training or demos are being held. Basic protection would be simple leather mechanics gloves, either full fingered or mitt style. At the very least, extra leather should be added to the gloves for better protection. Maille and lamellar can be added for added protection and preference. 

Basic Kit:
For our basic kit requirements, you will need:
Tunic, pants, boots, belt, and pouch.
Linen and wool are our accepted fabrics, and natural browns or undyed/unstained leather are acceptable for boots, belts, and pouches. Steer clear of black for anything.

Basic rundown of Combat

Basic Stance
Start off with your feet shoulder width apart. Depending on personal style and comfort level, take a half step back with your dominate side foot. Bend slightly at the knees and distribute your weight evenly between your feet. This will allow for a well rounded stance, as well as allowing proper movement during combat. Weapon should be at the ready to either defend yourself, or deliver strikes to the opponent. Shield should be up with the rim to your shoulder, but below your chin. Personal taste and comfort level dictates position of shield, whether it is covering your chest and stomach, or angled out in a "dynamic" style.

Strike Zones
Skjaldborg combat system is what we call the 6/12s system. The beginner 6 zones are as follows: 
45 degree angled strikes to both shoulders- #1 and #2
Horizontal strikes to both sides of the upper thighs or hips- #3 and #4
Angled thrust with the point of the weapon leading to the outside of the body, no direct on thrusting - #5
90 degree angle strike to the top or crown of the helmet. Only used when ALL combatants are comfortable dealing and recieving these strikes - #6
The additional 6 strikes to round out the 12s are for advanced fighters properly trained. For more information, we will provide it in our face-to-face training, or training videos.

Basic Blocks
#1 and #2- extend your weapon, point up, a few inches outside the "line" of your body to either side to block the upper shoulder strikes.
#3 and #4- extend your weapon, point down, a few inches outside the "line" of your body to either side to block the hip strikes. A step back is incouraged to make a proper block due to body mechanics.
#5- From "at the ready" sweep your weapon down and away to deflect the attack.
#6- extend your weapon in a horizontal "line" a few inches about your head. Over extending can result in missing the attack all together.
Shield use- Basic shield use is fairly self explanatory. Keep the shield closer to your body and avoid excessive movement. Energy conservation is key when using a shield.
The additional blocks for the advanced attacks will be explained in advanced training.

Taking shots
In Skjaldborg Combat, we try to make it seem as real to the public as possible. While this can and is a sport, we deal with more theatrics. It is also more of an honor system to recognize and show when you are struck. Basic knowledge on how weapons damage the body and anatomy are great keys to our combat. For our unarmored fighters, 1 strike or draw cut to the vital organs or veins is enough to kill. For our armored fighters, 2 intended, slightly harder, strikes to the armor are needed to at least incapacitate a combatant. If an armored fighter does not feel or take a shot, it is acceptable to apply for pressure/power to a strike on armor, or, strike to an unarmored section, such as the inner thighs, armpits, etc.

Basic rules of styles
Skjaldborg will fight with two styles, Western and Eastern style combat.
Western is our general style of combat where anyone basically trained and armed may participate.
Eastern is the heavy armored style of combat playing more to the sporty side with any part of the body being a target, except for hands and feet. Due to the harder strikes and targeting, proper armor and protection is required.

Off-limit striking areas
Due to safety as well as mutual resepct for one another, there are a few places where we will not attack on purpose.
Hands and elbows.
Feet and knees.
Groin.
Face.
To all fighters, your main goal is to not win at all costs, but to win in a safe manner. Accidents will happen but will be minimal with proper training, as well as a mindset focused on a safe, but dynamic fight.

If there are any questions, feel free to ask any advanced fighter or Battle Captain.